Page 88 of Unconventionally, Elle
Thank you for submitting your manuscript. Unfortunately, I'm not taking on any new authors. I wish you the best.
Regards,
Andrew Lenard, Tiff Literary
Well shit, why couldn't he send that weeks ago when he already knew he wasn't going to accept me as an author?I felt my confidence sink a little at the rejection, but he was just one agent. There were still other responses I was waiting for. More emails came through.It must be query Tuesday, I thought to myself.
One agent declined outright with no explanation.That was nice.I rolled my eyes. Little Lou was snoring at the head of the bed--on my pillow, more precisely. I smiled at my little lovebug. I looked back to my phone after scratching his head and read the last email. Cindy Narland was from Goldengate Lit and said she was no longer looking for romance even though her manuscript wish list hadn't been updated. On the flip side, she did encourage me to keep pursuing my goals, so that was nice.
I felt antsy with the rejections I'd received, so I decided to head into Manhattan. It was a beautiful day to sit in Central Park, and I texted Rach to let her know we could meet for happy hour.
While sitting on a bench close to the Pond, I noticed a man running up who looked oddly familiar--too familiar. He was getting closer, but he had his headphones in and wasn't looking directly at me. The tips of his chestnut hair were sweaty, and his stubble really did look very Clooney. I stared at him as he got closer and closer. When he noticed me, our eyes locked and he shuffled the next couple of yards to my bench. When he stoppedin front of me, he was panting and trying to catch his breath. He took his headphones out of his ears, looped them across his neck, and then shook his head like a puppy, spraying sweat all over me.
"You did that on purpose, ass."
"Maybe I did, maybe I didn't." Jude's smirk was devilish.
"Well, I guess you can sit down if you'd like," I said, patting the empty space on the bench next to me.
"We can't keep meeting like this," he said as he took a deep breath and sat down next to me.
I could smell the woody citrus scent of his cologne as his body leaned closer to mine.
"Why are you all alone in Central Park?" he asked as he readjusted his headphones on his neck.
"What are you doing running? I didn't know you still ran?" I asked instead.
"That's irrelevant. I run so I don't have to think. Easy enough," he said, cocking an eyebrow at me. "Seriously, though. What are you in New York for?"
"To see you, of course." I stuck my tongue out at him.
"You've got jokes today, Elle Belle."
"I try." I turned my body to face him. His expression was open, and I couldn't place it. Maybe relaxed? "How are you doing since your mom? I know we've been talking intermittently, but now that I see you in the flesh, how are you, Jude?"
"Thanks for asking." His grin was genuine and effortless. "I'm doing much better. It was rough there for a bit, but I know you get it. Thanks for always responding to my texts. Sometimes I just had to vent, ya know?"
I curled both of my legs up onto the bench. "I know." I smiled gently, then told him what had been weighing heavy onmy heart for months. "I'm sorry how we left things last time, Jude. I really am."
His short laugh made the butterflies in my stomach wake up.
"Who knows? Maybe the stars will align one day, Elle Belle." He flashed a quick smile. "I'll be here, though. I meant what I said. I love you and I always have."
He stood up, grabbed his headphones, and placed them in his ears. "If you're in New York for a while, let's grab a bite, yeah?" he asked while brushing his hand through his damp hair.
"I'll text you," I said and waved as he turned around to keep on running.
Just then, Rach messaged me.
Rach:Ready, Freddie? I can meet you at this bar I want to show you. It's a bookstore and a bar at the same time! It's so you.
Me:You know me so well! Text me the deets and I'll meet you.
Rachel and I stayed out way too late for thirtysomethings on a random Tuesday night. Who knew you could drink too many espresso martinis while giggling over EmHen's newest book. The next morning, we both sat on a park bench with Louie, nursing our black coffees.
"You know, maybe if you sit here long enough, a runner will stop and ask you to marry them?" she joked as I brought my coffee to my lips.
The park was nice midmorning.
